Nexus 6 (2016) price, release date, specs and rumors

The Nexus series is one of the most loved on Android. Motorola, Samsung, Huawei, and LG have all had a go at co-creating a Nexus smartphone with Google, but which manufacturer will be next? And what will it be like? And when’s it coming and how much will it cost? Now that the Nexus 6 (2016) rumors have begun we’re here to try and answer these questions.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) price and release date

Information about the release date of Nexus 6 (2016) hasn't been announced yet, but we can already predict that it won't land until the fourth quarter (of this year), like the previous Nexus devices in the series.

Concerning the Nexus 6 (2016) price, given that the original Nexus 6 and Nexus 6 (2015) both launched for around US$649, we expect a similar price range for the upcoming handset also.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) design

An early rumor from Gizmochina suggests that it could be Huawei once again who is tasked with co-producing the next Nexus 6. If this is true, we could speculate that another metal phablet is in store.

While Huawei’s Nexus 6P design was generally well received, its rear visor became a contentious subject after it was rumored to be shattering for no apparent reason. The internet is awash with examples of this cracked visor now and it has called Huawei’s design skills into question. Despite this, we consider the Nexus 6P to be one of the best-looking Nexus devices yet and hopefully Huawei would deliver in this area once again.

As for removable battery and expandable storage options, given the Nexus history, it’s unlikely that the Nexus 6 (2016) will have such features.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) display

The original Nexus 6, developed by Motorola, had a 6-inch QHD display. Many found this phone a little too big and its successor was agreeably smaller with a 5.7-inch screen. It's still a mighty big phone, but will the Nexus 6 (2016) shrink again and receive the 4K treatment?

It’s possible, but this display resolution also has a niche appeal and is expensive to produce. Far more likely that the next Nexus 6 will have 2K resolution once again (just as the original Nexus 5 from 2013 and Nexus 5X from 2015 both have Full HD resolutions). As for the display size, we expect something between 5.5 and 6 inches.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) software

Even if Huawei is the manufacturer, the Nexus 6 (2016) is sure to arrive with the next version of Android, what we are currently referring to as Android N. What new features this will include is still being speculated on but you can read more about the direction that Android N seems to be heading at the link.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) camera

Neither Google nor Huawei are famed for camera quality in their devices, but put them together and somehow it just works. The Nexus 6P really delivered in the camera stakes and if Huawei is developing the Nexus 6 (2016) this should be even better. Check out our Nexus 6P gallery for examples.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) performance

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820 is the processor rumored to appear in the Nexus 6 (2016). This next-gen processor brings a new architecture (ARM Cortex-A57 / 53) which could help it achieve faster speeds than the Snapdragon 810 and without the overheating problems. If it is packing this chip, performance and graphics should be at the very high end.

Google Nexus 6 (2016) battery

The Nexus 6P is the Nexus device with the largest battery capacity to date at 3450 mAh. Though battery capacity doesn't tell us everything about battery performance, with improvements afforded by Android Marshmallow, this large cell helped the 6P achieve good battery life numbers overall. Thankfully, Huawei is in the habit if delivering phones with large batteries and it may well do this again with the next Nexus.

The 6P did lack wireless charging, though, so we hope that this makes a return, alongside quick-charging, in the Nexus 6 (2016).

What are your predictions for the next Nexus 6? Let us know in the comments.